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Airports have resumed. Putin seeks peace but aims for Russia’s goals.
A Red Wings airlines passenger plane is seen behind a fence at the Zhukovsky international airport outside Moscow, Russia. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
A Ukrainian drone barrage on Russian capital of Moscow between Saturday and Sunday forced closure of major airports in the city, UK broadcaster BBC said in a report. The report added that the sustained drone attack campaign by the Ukrainians led to cancellation of over 140 flights.
It also said that over 230 Ukrainian drones were downed over Russia since Saturday morning of which 27 were downed over the capital, citing data from the Russian defence ministry.
The Russian aviation watchdog said that four major airports serving Moscow were disrupted and more than 130 flights also had to be redirected. The airports have since resumed normal operations.
According to Russia’s aviation watchdog, the four major airports serving the capital were disrupted and more than 130 flights also had to be redirected. All have since resumed normal operations. Four major airports serving Moscow – Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovskiy – were affected.
The drones were reportedly shot down over a number regions in the European part of Russia, as well as over the Black Sea. A Reuters report said that only two airports remained closed to air traffic – Vnukovo in the Moscow region and Grabtsevo in the Kaluga region, as of 10am local time.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to move toward a peace settlement for Ukraine but Moscow’s main objective is to achieve its goals, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state television in a clip published on Sunday.
Peskov said that the world was now accustomed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s sometimes “harsh” rhetoric but pointed out that Trump had also underscored in comments on Russia that he would continue to search for a peace deal.
“President Putin has repeatedly spoken of his desire to bring the Ukrainian settlement to a peaceful conclusion as soon as possible. This is a long process, it requires effort, and it is not easy,” Peskov said told state television reporter Pavel Zarubin.
“The main thing for us is to achieve our goals. Our goals are clear,” Peskov said.
On Monday, Trump announced a tougher stance on Russia, pledging a new wave of military aid to Ukraine, including Patriot missile defence systems. He also gave Russia a 50-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire or face additional sanctions.
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev…Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev… Read More
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